Actress and businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow's civil trial in Utah hit the headlines for two completely different reasons: her large aviator-style glasses and a ski collision that happened in 2016. On the first day of her trial, Paltrow's glasses became the center of attention on social media. Trolls immediately noticed a comparison between her glasses and those worn by serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who killed and dismembered 17 young men during his monstrous rampage in Milwaukee from 1978 to 1991.
While many people found the comparison hilarious, others found it chilling. People on social media and Twitter made comments such as, "I like her serial killer vibe," "Gwyneth Paltrow meets Jeffrey Dahmer," and "Dahmer Effect." One person tweeted, "Why does Gwyneth look like Jeffrey Dahmer?"
Another wrote, "Not a good look for her." While it was not very on-brand for Goop, Paltrow's high-end wellness and lifestyle brand, trolls joked that Paltrow was literally going for the "Dahmer look" at her ski accident trial.
The trial began on the same day, and Paltrow was present in the courtroom. Terry Sanderson, a 76-year-old retired optometrist, sued Paltrow in 2019. Sanderson claimed that Paltrow crashed into him while skiing at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, UT, in February 2016, causing him a concussion and four broken ribs.
Paltrow and her ski instructor allegedly left Sanderson lying badly injured on the mountain, without getting him medical care. Paltrow filed a countersuit against Sanderson, claiming that he skied into her.
In court documents filed by Sanderson, he stated that Paltrow allegedly "skied out of control" and "knocked him down hard," causing him serious injuries. Sanderson initially sued Paltrow for $3.1 million but later amended his complaint and is now seeking more than $300,000 in damages, according to court documents. Paltrow is seeking $1 in damages plus attorneys' fees.
During the trial, the jury heard from both sides, with one of Sanderson's lawyers, Lawrence Buhler, delivering the opening statement, followed by Paltrow's attorney, Steve Owens. Owens reiterated Paltrow's claim that she was downhill from Sanderson before the collision took place. The trial is expected to last about one week.
It is not yet known if Paltrow will take the stand, but her attorney told the jury that they would hear from family members who were skiing with her at the time of the incident.
While Paltrow's Dahmer look might have caused some buzz on social media, the trial's outcome will undoubtedly have more significant consequences. Whether Paltrow will be held liable for Sanderson's injuries or not, this trial reminds us that everyone, even famous personalities, are subject to the law.